RYAN CICAK: After Her

Artistic, Submissions, Touching, , , ,

Fresh cut grass smell. Saturday morning. Cheerios and cartoons, pajamas until lunch. Dad came in, sunburned and glistening. He made lunch, turned the game on.

“Dad! I have two more shows!”

“Go take a bath,” he said, pungent.

Mom used to let me wait.

Monday’s bus still one day away.

Ryan Cicak has published poetry and creative non-fiction before, primarily through the award-winning American River Review, once winning an award for a sestina about zombies. “After Her” originally appeared on his website, Etceterocity.tumblr.com.

BRADY GERBER: The Lie

Amusing, Submissions, , ,

One day Henry was updating his iTunes.

He told Apple that he read and agreed to the terms of use.

Henry did not actually read anything.

The next morning Henry, to his horror, found that all his music had been replaced.

With Michael Bolton.

Henry had agreed to the terms.

Brady Gerber is a current student at Indiana University studying business and music who also loves to write. Some of his favorite writers include Kurt Vonnegut, Henry Miller, Ernest Hemingway, and Bob Dylan. Brady does most of his writings on his blog (Headphone Nation, @headfonenation) and on his Twitter (@BradyWGerber).

ALEX L KERR : November 22nd, 1963

Odd, Submissions, ,

“You’re not an artist, you’re a psychic,” the man in black said, walking around the easel.

Lee’s shock turned to horror as he studied his canvas with new eyes.

“What’s the name of this?”

Lee swallowed and whispered, “Grassy Knoll.”

The man nodded.

“Right. We have a job for you.”

Alex loves to write flash-, short-, & novel-length stories in horror, crime, suspense & fantasy genres. Visit ALK’s full portfolio at alexlkerr.com!

MERIDETH GRUE: Kiss A World Goodbye

Submissions, Touching, ,

I kissed her forehead. She frowned a delicate apology and laid her head back on the pillow. Our eyes met and we knew we were not alone, would never be alone again.

Death took her and I stood by, unable to fight the invisible, unable to take the permission back.

Merideth Grue jumps at her own shadow, but it jumps too, so that’s okay. More Grue can be found at http://gravatar.com/lsadeness.

LEO NORMAN: First Contact

Amusing, Submissions,

The alien vessel landed in Time Square.

Thousands gathered. Press clamoured. Cameras flashed.

Hiss. A hatch opened.

Two green, tentacle-covered creatures emerged. They looked, evaluated.

Silent, telepathic communication passed between them. “What a dump!”

They got back in their ship and decided they would go to Alpha Centauri next vacation.

Leo Norman is a teacher and part time writer. He lives in Southampton, England with his wife and child.

MIRANDA LAST: Nightmare

Artistic, Submissions,

Every night, she twists and turns, dashing through those mangled brambles she calls “dreams” and those searing nightmares she calls “part of life”.

Yet… She cannot help crying.

About that one piercing gem of knowledge that shines dim in a dark room. Forever paralyzed by the knowing of painless morning.

Miranda Last is a girl who prefers pancakes over waffles. She also loves to write.

DR MIKE REDDY: All Grown Up

Amusing, Submissions, ,

My first work day. Grown up.

During lunch I went to the shop canteen. “Chips, egg, mug of tea.”

A pretty girl caught my eye, smiling as I poured several sachets into my drink.

“I like it sweet,” I explained.

She got up and walked over to me. “That’s salt!”

Dr. Mike Reddy FRSA (http://sixminutestory.com. He is running a video equivalent of 50 word stories (but probably less, to be honest) on the 30 second video blogging site, Ticckle, under the #TicckleTuesday banner.

HALL JAMESON: Margaret

Submissions, Touching, , ,

My grandmother called me by name today, but I’m not sure she knew it was me. I share my name with my mother. Margaret.

It doesn’t matter. I will be whoever she wants me to be.

Of course, my grandmother’s name is also Margaret.

Perhaps she was talking to herself.

Hall Jameson is a writer and fine art photographer who lives in Montana. Her work has recently appeared in “The Red Asylum”, “Redivider”, and “Eric’s Hysterics”. When she’s not writing or taking photographs, Hall enjoys playing the piano and cat wrangling.

CHRIS REDFERN: The Scout

Adventure, Submissions, , ,

The scout was young, only fourteen, and he was one of the best.

Countless times he’d saved his people from both ambush and defeat, but when the arrow took him, their fate, like his own, was sealed.

The enemy scout lowered his bow.  He was young, only thirteen, but better.

Chris Redfern is new to the world of flash fiction and enjoying it immensely.  Follow his adventures at www.aatwatchtower.com.

ALEXANDER KEY: Motivational Speaking

Amusing, Submissions, , , ,

“Where to, Captain?”

“We will cross the Ocean Sea on a voyage of great discovery.”

“You’re mad!”

“We’ll all die!”

“Why do such a fool thing?”

“To bring new lands to our King!

“What?”

“To bring new souls to God!”

“Are you kidding?

“To bring back gold!”

Aye aye, Captain!

Alexander Key is a high school teacher whenever the moon and stars align perfectly.